Realizing that your child needs treatment can be one of the most difficult times in life. Addiction has become part of our national narrative, frequenting dinner tables across America and perpetually present in the conference rooms of Washington D.C. Drug overdoses have become the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years old. The National Institute for Drug Abuse cites that 90 people die from a drug overdose every day. The opioid epidemic takes center stage, but drug addictions of all kinds affect millions of Americans, directly and indirectly.
But the most troubling, and seemingly most common, addiction-related disturbance is the realization that your child has become an addict. Distraught and overwhelmed, you’ve turned to Google or a local specialist to figure out how to help your son or daughter solve this problem. Hopefully, this article can bring some clarity to you and your family. There is a solution to your problem.
Addiction and Experimentation: How it Starts
Many teens and young adults use drugs. Some are recreational and experimental and others are addicted and dependent. Some begin by smoking marijuana or drinking, but many others start their addiction after a doctor’s visit. For some, the catalyst for addiction seems to be the removal of wisdom teeth or a broken arm in high school.
From the doctor’s office to a drug den, the effects are the same. Addiction takes hold, with striking similarities, across demographics: age, race, gender, and socio-economic background are not an appropriate indicator of whether or not someone has a propensity for addiction.
Common Drugs Abused by Teens/ Young Adults
- Marijuana
- Alcohol
- Prescriptions
- Opiates
- Other Depressants
- Stimulants
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Designer Drugs
There are conflicting reports of teenage and young adult substance abuse. It is a difficult statistic to calculate accurately, due to the nature of self-reporting illicit activity. However, the trends do follow the same lines. Reported daily and lifetime use has declined but judgment and approval have also declined. Young people are less likely to think experimenting with drugs and alcohol is harmful. And in turn, those that experiment may be at a higher risk of becoming dependent due to the decreased social consequences.
As high schoolers graduate and many go to college, substance abuse trends deepen and become more prevalent. Since 1995, there has been an increase in daily marijuana smokers among college students. And with regards to binge drinking, nearly one-third of college students surveyed report five or more drinks in rapid succession within the last two weeks. Stimulant use, such as cocaine or amphetamines, is also on the rise.
For some, it is no surprise that high schoolers and college students experiment with drugs and alcohol. But when an addiction develops and begins to hinder your child’s ability to progress in life, it is time to consider serious action. Addiction can have harrowing consequences. When the time comes to find treatment placement for your child, it is imperative to make the most informed decision available.
What Do I Do When my Child Needs Treatment?
Two scenarios occur with the realization that your child may need treatment: 1) your child comes to you and asks for help, and, 2) you realize they are struggling with addiction but they are not aware that you know. In either event, it is important to reach out to a professional and ethical treatment provider. If you know that your child is using but they are not aware that you know, an interventionist is recommended if within availability.
An interventionist, in essence, is a therapist that specializes in moderating the difficult conversation of convincing your loved one to go to treatment. Often, when a parent approaches their child about going to treatment, they feel cornered and lash out accordingly. Sometimes they run, and in extreme cases, they become verbally abusive, even violent. This type of behavior rarely occurs when a neutral third-party moderator is brought in to facilitate the process in a structured, healthy, healing way. Interventions are extremely successful and are an invaluable tool for families during the trying times of a child’s addiction.
In any event, a treatment center will need to be identified, contacted, and lined up for admission as soon as your son or daughter is willing to enter. If you are working with an interventionist or a local substance abuse counselor, they should have several recommendations. Conversely, you can find a referral to a trustworthy interventionist by asking the admissions coordinator of the facility you’re looking in to.
Make the most informed decision possible. It is important to feel that you are interacting with a trustworthy facility, feel warm and welcomed, have all your questions answered, and know that the facility of your choosing has what your son or daughter needs to succeed in treatment. Click here for a more in-depth response on how to know if you are choosing the right facility for your needs.
Treatment with JourneyPure Emerald Coast
JourneyPure Emerald Coast, located in Panama City, FL, is a dual diagnosis addiction treatment center that specializes in treating the complexities that accompany drug and alcohol addiction. Each patient will receive specialized individual care with a primary therapist, intensive group therapy, and exposure to therapeutic modalities that will give them the tools they need to recover from their substance abuse and co-occurring issues. Call today for a free consultation, and if an interventionist is needed we will get you in touch with a trusted provider.
